Products and Resources Catalog

The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The December 2023 issue shares recorded content on wound care and xylazine, social media basics for preventionists, an infographic on providing behavioral healthcare to people living with HIV, and SAMHSA's tips for supporting your mental health through the holidays. As always, you will also find links to all upcoming events and trainings hosted by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC!   Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list, so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter and thank you for reading!

  To prevent substance misuse among our youth, we must enhance protective factors and reduce risk factors. Join this webinar to learn how to build protective factors in the youth in a straight-forward, easy to implement way using the Social Development Strategy.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Name the elements of the Social Development Strategy Describe how the elements of the Social Development Strategy interact to create protective factors List a minimum of three ways that the Social Development Strategy can be incorporated into daily interactions and prevention strategies with youth   PRESENTATION RESOURCES Printable presentation slides SDS Assessment Tool Printable version of the participant workbook Flipbook version of the participant workbook    

COURSE DESCRIPTION Participants who attended, Supporting Immigrant, Refugee, and Asylum Seeking Individuals Through Prevention, joined a peer sharing session to delve deeper into the questions raised and revisit the practical steps for preventing substance misuse and promoting secure and healthy communities while considering the needs of immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeking individuals.  The View Resource button above include the PowerPoint from the session and other helpful resources.   PRESENTERS Since 1997, veteran Derrick Newby has worked in the field of prevention and public health in both the public and private sector. In 2017, he was selected for a position with the University of Arkansas Little Rock and served as a Program Coordinator with MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training where he served for 5 years, helping to facilitate the growth of the prevention system.  He currently serves as a training and technical assistance specialist for the South Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center for HHS Region 6. Serving on the Arkansas Prevention Certification Board since 2020, Mr. Newby is a certified prevention consultant who earned his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas Little Rock.         

    Logic Models and the Theory of Change, Part 1 November 7, 2023   Webinar Description During this one-hour webinar, participants will develop a better understanding of why logic models are essential to those in the field of substance abuse prevention/substance misuse prevention or intervention. Participants will leave the first part of this training with an understanding of the essential components of a logic model, how logic models can help make the prevention specialist's job easier and more sustainable, and the role that the theory of change plays in creating a usable logic model.     Objectives By the end of this session, participants will be able to:  Identify the benefits of using logic models. Define the key components of a logic model. Describe why a theory of change should be embedded into the logic model.   Learning Session Recording and Slides Logic Models and the Theory of Change, Part 1 Recording Logic Models and the Theory of Change, Part 1 Slide Deck (PDF)   Presenter   Kyle Barrington, Ph.D., serves as the Principal Investigator on multiple projects related to substance abuse misuse, substance abuse treatment, and suicide prevention. For the past 23 years, as the Principal Investigator for Zajonc Corporation, he has served as a subject matter expert and supported the development of training on topics ranging from implementing evidence-based programs, using evidence-based programs to reduce risk-taking behaviors on college campuses, sustaining effective practices, and evaluating environmental strategies. In addition, he has utilized research results to help secure over $650 million in funding for rural and low-income communities.    Questions Contact Britany Wiele ([email protected]) if you have additional questions about the content related to this learning session.

In this Issue:   The Power of Community Advocacy Additional Policy and Advocacy Resources Epi Corner: Using "Big Data" and other Digital Methodologies to Monitor Substance use Disorders (SUDs) What's Happening Around the Region

Evaluations are an important tool for improving prevention programs and the health and wellbeing of communities. Prevention professionals can use evaluations to gather and analyze data about programs and their impacts. This product explains the importance of evaluation and summarizes the four principles of evaluation. It also describes the key steps of an evaluation and provides examples of questions to ask yourself when planning an evaluation.

As the Director and Chief Research Scientist at The Montana Institute, Dr. Jeff Linkenbach has developed national award-winning programs that change community norms. Jeff holds a Doctor of Education with a focus on community education, a master’s degree in counseling and has over the past 30 years of experience in public health leadership. He is a co-investigator of the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) study at the HOPE Center at Tufts School of Medicine and a past Fellow at the Mansfield Academy for Global Leadership at The University of Montana.   In 1998, Jeff created the National Conference on The Social Norms Approach to Prevention, which has since transformed into the renowned Montana Summer Institute on Positive Community Norms. Jeff also founded the Center for Health & Safety Culture at the Western Transportation Institute and is the developer of the Science of the Positive and Positive Community Norms frameworks, which have been utilized by tribal, federal, state, and local organizations to achieve positive change and transformation around issues such as child maltreatment, substance abuse, suicide and traffic safety.  Jeff is known for translating social norms science into practical applications and has trained others to implement effective norms interventions across North America. For the past sixteen years, he has led Positive Community Norms implementation across the state of Minnesota, which has resulted in significant reductions in teen alcohol and other substance abuse. Jeff was a member of the Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s Knowledge-to-Action (K2A) think tank on Essentials for Childhood and was commissioned by the CDC to write a supplemental paper on Promoting Positive Community Norms. He has served as a consultant and trainer for numerous prestigious organizations such as the U.S. White House (Office of National Drug Control Policy), the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, The Canadian Agriculture Safety Association, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Harvard University, The American Medical Association, The National Football League, and many others. Email: [email protected] Web site: www.montanainstitute.com  

Substance Misuse Prevention and Support for Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum-Seekers in the South Southwest Migration is a fact of life in the South Southwest region of the United States. Prevention professionals play a crucial role in delivering evidence-based and culturally tailored interventions to assist vulnerable immigrant populations. By doing so, they contribute to the promotion of community health, overall well-being, and the strengthening of social bonds. This document is designed to equip prevention professionals with valuable insights for their work with immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking communities. The Substance Misuse Prevention and Support for Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum-Seekers in the South Southwest: Offers definitions of key terms and groups Discusses the risk and protective factors for drug abuse among immigrant populations Provides information about the role of prevention in creating safe communities Suggests steps for selecting appropriate interventions and adapting programs for these populations Lists additional resources and tools for prevention practitioners    

COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar discusses how LGBTQ+ adolescents are impacted by stress at the intersection of substance misuse, and explores evidence-based substance use prevention strategies that address their risk factors.  Select the View Resource button above to watch the recording. Below is the PowerPoint for this webinar. PowerPoint   PRESENTER   Jeremy Goldbach is a Masters & Johnson Distinguished Professor in Sexual Health and Education. His work is primarily focused on measuring, understanding, and intervening during experiences of minority stress and discrimination among LGBTQ+ children and adolescents. Goldbach's work has been continuously funded since 2012 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Department of Defense (DOD) and through other foundations. 

The Importance of Cultural Humility in Prevention Josh Esrick, MPP, and Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip September 28, 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Culture is integral to humanity, shaping who we are, what we value, and how we see the world. Because culture plays such an important role at all levels in society, it is important for prevention professionals to understand, value, and respect other cultures. The concept of “Cultural Humility” is a lifelong commitment to self-reflection about culture, addressing inequities, and developing non-paternalistic partnerships with communities. Prevention professionals should infuse the concepts of cultural humility into all aspects of their work. This webinar will delve into the concept of cultural humility and explain why it is important to prevention. As part of this, it will discuss how to engage in partnerships with diverse communities and how to implement and evaluate culturally responsive, evidence-based programs and interventions. Lastly, the webinar will highlight a case study example of a community seeking to follow the principles of cultural humility in its prevention services. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe the concept of cultural humility Explain why cultural humility is important to prevention Process an example scenario of cultural humility and accompanying case study PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (TTA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of TTA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to TTA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.     Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.  

COURSE DESCRIPTION This interactive training session explores the power of Excel to analyze meaningful prevention program outcomes with pre- and post-test surveys.   Excel is a practical and accessible tool for prevention professionals who may be analyzing survey data to demonstrate program outcomes, especially for prevention professionals who may not have access to expensive software packages. Participants will be guided through real-life examples of applying a step-by-step process using Excel to examine pre- and post-test results and interpret significant outcomes.  Select the View Resource button above to watch the recording. Below is the PowerPoint and handout for this webinar. PowerPoint Step-by-step Companion Training Instructions Training Data Examples   PRESENTER Nicole Schoenborn brings 20 years of award-winning public health experience to the South Southwest Prevention Technology and Transfer Center (SSW PTTC). She currently oversees all evaluation reporting and analysis and manages the evaluation database for the SSW PTTC. She plays a vital role in providing high-impact training and technical assistance (T/TA) services to the prevention workforce, emerging prevention professionals, organizations, and community prevention stakeholders. Ms. Schoenborn develops innovative program evaluation so that state and community-level prevention practitioners can achieve successful outcomes. With a specific focus on addressing health disparities, she works with states and tribes to develop processes and programs that achieve long-term public health impact. Specifically, she collaborates with subject matter experts to guide states and tribes in the design of effective logic models, methods, and evaluation plans. Nicole works to create supportive and responsive research environments that interconnect services for historically underserved populations and reduce adverse public health outcomes. Ms. Schoenborn holds multiple certifications, namely, she is an Internationally Certified Prevention Specialist and an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Interface Certified Instructor. She received her master’s degree in experimental psychology and bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma.

  Webinar Description The Social Norms Approach is a prevention strategy that corrects misperceptions of risky behaviors and focuses on the healthy behaviors that already exist in groups. Research shows that most people overestimate risky or unhealthy habits and under-perceive normative healthy behaviors, and that decreasing the over-perception of unhealthy or risky behaviors improves health outcomes.   This session explored the fundamental principles and key concepts behind the social norms approach as well as a process that attendees could use in their own communities to uncover and promote the positive norms that already exist.   Learning objectives for Session 1 included: -Describe the Social Norms Approach -List elements of an effective social norms process -Identify the data needed to build a social norms campaign   Presenter   Lauri Solomon is a training and technical assistance specialist with the Education Development Center.  She has more than 25 years' experience in public health working on a variety of initiatives including the prevention of substance misuse, sexually transmitted infections, and teen pregnancy. Lauri has been providing technical assistance and training on the application of the social norms approach since 1999. She also holds a doctorate in social justice education and works to bring an equity lens to all aspects of her work.   Additional Resources  Flyer  PowerPoint

  Webinar Description The Social Norms Approach is a prevention strategy that corrects misperceptions of risky behaviors and focuses on the healthy behaviors that already exist in groups. Research shows that most people overestimate risky or unhealthy habits and under-perceive normative healthy behaviors, and that decreasing the over-perception of unhealthy or risky behaviors improves health outcomes.   This session explored the fundamental principles and key concepts behind the social norms approach as well as a process that attendees could use in their own communities to uncover and promote the positive norms that already exist.   Learning objectives for Session 2 included: -Describe what are more and less effective approaches to health communication and social marketing -Identify the data needed to build a social norms campaign -List elements of a social norms marketing print ad   Presenter   Lauri Solomon is a training and technical assistance specialist with the Education Development Center.  She has more than 25 years' experience in public health working on a variety of initiatives including the prevention of substance misuse, sexually transmitted infections, and teen pregnancy. Lauri has been providing technical assistance and training on the application of the social norms approach since 1999. She also holds a doctorate in social justice education and works to bring an equity lens to all aspects of her work.   Additional Resources  Flyer  PowerPoint

Addressing and preventing the spread of substance use disorders (SUDs) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are both vital areas of public health. Many risk factors are shared across SUD and HIV, though each present unique challenges. This product summarizes the scope of HIV in the United States and SAMHAS Region 3. It also discusses how having HIV can increase risk of substance use and how engaging in substance use can increase risk of HIV. It also shares examples of evidence-based prevention programs.

   2023 RESEARCH & DESIGN (RAD) PRODUCTS: New research-based substance misuse prevention tools supporting Practical Resources to Address The Root Causes of Substance Misuse with a Focus on the IC&RC Prevention Domains. Prevention Product Development for the New England Region. Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on August 17, 2023).    EXPLORING ROOT CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE THROUGH SOCIAL STORIES This resource consists of a work of research on the trauma of underrepresentation experienced by Black communities and the ripple effects it has on Black children. This social story title ‘I Feel’ can be used in a variety of settings and tackles the topic of emotions while also confronting the difficulties that emerge from living with a parent who is beginning their path to recovery. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     SUPPORTING YOUTH & ADDRESSING UNDERLYING CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE USE This handbook is designed for adults to better support youth while addressing underlying causes of substance misuse. Throughout this resource, the reader will build a better understanding of the role Adverse Childhood Experiences play in substance use and proven solutions to prevent and mitigate their impacts. The target audience is parents/caregivers, teachers, counselors, coaches, and anyone else who interacts with youth. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     HEALTHY COMMUNITY, HEALTHY PEOPLE: COMMUNITY CANNABIS POLICY TOOLKIT FOR THE VERMONT PREVENTION PROFESSIONAL 2.0 A toolkit that prevention professionals and communities working on cannabis-related policy improvement can use to help support prevention and public health at a community level. This kit has been updated in 2023 to include additional tools and information, including stigma-free language relevant to this work, talking points to use with key audiences, questions to use for community polling, and template presentations for community and key audience education. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     PREVENTING & ADDRESSING ACES IN HISPANIC AND LATINO This guide is designed for Hispanic and Latino Faith Leaders in Massachusetts and can be used to prevent and address adverse childhood experiences impacting Hispanic and Latino communities. Faith Leaders can learn about the connection between trauma and substance use disorder, specific impacts within the Hispanic and Latino community, and the interventions the faith community can deploy to mitigate the impact of ACEs. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     PREVENTING ROOT CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE USE IN LGBTQIA+ YOUTH This toolkit is designed for prevention professionals and can showcase proactive techniques for upstream prevention efforts to address minority stress among LGBTQIA+ youth. This toolkit includes a call to action for the prevention workforce, highlights data and data limitations, research on minority stress and its connection to substance misuse, and provides evidence-informed recommendations for the reader.  READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY AND PREVENTION FOR FAMILIES IN TREATMENT: A GUIDE FOR THERAPISTS, CLIENTS, AND FAMILIES A practical resource to be shared by clinicians with individuals in treatment for substance use disorder. This toolkit will provide the person in treatment with resources from the disciplines of prevention and peer recovery support. It will assist in increasing the family’s awareness of applicable prevention information and strategies and will educate about various levels of clinical and peer supports that are available in the community. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       View the 2021 products.   View the 2022 products.

COURSE DESCRIPTION This training analyzes the co-occurring epidemic of substance misuse and suicide and discusses how to navigate and overcome the barriers that have impacted professionals in the field. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States across all age groups. Compared with the general population, individuals with alcohol dependence and persons who use drugs have a 10–14 times greater risk of death by suicide. Select the View Resource button above to watch the recording and the PowerPoint below. PowerPoint   PRESENTERS Jana Boocock, MSW is a Senior Prevention Specialist on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) project. Jana’s primary experience includes managing the implementation of suicide and substance use prevention programming in South Dakota communities. Jana received her Master of Social Work in 2021 from Arizona State University and is a Certified Addiction Counselor and Certified Prevention Specialist. In addition to her state and community led prevention experience, Jana also has experience working with youth and adults experiencing behavioral health disorders within the community.   Derrick Newby is a Certified Prevention Consultant who has worked in the field of prevention and public health since 1998. He served as the program coordinator with MidSOUTH Center for Prevention and Training for five years, helping to facilitate the growth of the prevention system. Mr. Newby is a training and technical assistance (T/TA) specialist for the South Southwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center (SSW PTTC). He has also served on the Arkansas Prevention Certification Board since 2020. Mr. Newby earned his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock in 2004.        

COURSE DESCRIPTION This workshop offers examples of evidence-based strategies and promising community-practices that promote healthy youth development and prevent substance misuse. Do you find it difficult to talk with families and communities about the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) study and its relationship with substance misuse? If so, you are not alone. Beginning with highlighting awareness of toxic stress and its impact on child development, this training uses a strengths-based approach and a trauma-informed lens to focus on positive childhood experiences, as well as building resilience.  Select the View Resource button above to watch the recording. Below are the training companion materials. PowerPoint ACE Talk with Family and Friends Handout   PRESENTER Fabricia Prado is a Clinical Social Work/Therapist , LCSW, and is based out of Marietta, Georgia, United States. Fabricia specializes in the counseling of Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD, etc. The therapist has experience in handling cases of ADHD Therapy, Anger Management, Behavioral Issues, Child or Adolescent, Codependency, Coping Skills, Emotional Disturbance, Family Conflict, Grief, Life Transitions, Parenting, Peer Relationships, Relationship Issues, Self Esteem, Sexual Abuse, Spirituality, Stress, Substance Use, Women's Issues, and more. The types of therapies Fabricia offers include, Acceptance And Commitment Therapy, Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisors -, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Culturally Sensitive Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Positive Psychology, Strength Based Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy therapy.     

The Importance of Evaluation in Prevention Part 2: How to Support Effective Evaluations Josh Esrick, MPP, and David Theiss, MSc, BA July 20, 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will follow-up part 1 by providing additional guidance on developing and implementing evaluations. It will discuss opportunities for non-evaluators to support and improve evaluation efforts. The webinar will also cover how program staff can help determine the core elements of an evaluation plan and what staff should do to avoid having an unsuccessful plan. Additionally, it will review the core evaluation tasks and discuss opportunities for program managers and other staff to support those efforts. Lastly, the webinar will provide a learning activity for participants to practice skills for developing their own evaluation plans. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explain how they can support the development of an evaluation plan Recognize the signs of an unsuccessful evaluation Identify opportunities for supporting evaluation efforts Demonstrate how evaluation research questions are developed PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (TTA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of TTA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to TTA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.   David Theiss, MSc oversees Carnevale Associates’ portfolio of Research & Evaluation projects, leading teams focused on data analytics across several program evaluation and research projects. Under David’s supervision, the R&E team serves a diverse group of behavioral health clients at multiple levels of government, including the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, and the District Department of Behavioral Health. David also oversees the development of all of the firm’s external-facing and data visualization products across functional teams. While at the firm, David’s work has spanned several subject matter specialisms, ranging from biased-based policing, medication for opioid use disorders, drug courts, and layered interventions for unhoused individuals. He has over 15 years of research, data analysis, data communication, project management, and strategic planning experience in high-level settings in the U.S. and Europe. David holds a Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics.  

The Importance of Evaluation in Prevention Part 1: What is Evaluation and How It Supports Strategic Planning Josh Esrick, MPP, and Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip July 18, 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide an overview of evaluation core concepts and their relevance to prevention services. It will discuss the purpose of evaluation and how evaluations can be used to expand opportunities for improving community health and well-being. The webinar will also review the principles of evaluation and explain their meaning: utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy. Additionally, it will summarize the basics of evaluation plans and how their development stems from planning tools such logic models and action plans. Lastly, the webinar will provide a small group discussion opportunity for participants to share their experiences with evaluations. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe the importance of evaluation to strategic planning Recognize how evaluation can led to improved prevention outcomes Identify the principles of evaluation Explain the connections between logic models, action plans, and evaluation plans PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (TTA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of TTA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to TTA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.     Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.  

COURSE DESCRIPTION During this webinar, prevention experts at Carnevale Associates, LLC, Josh Esrick, MPP, and Emily Patton, MSc, explore the data and research on the intersection of substance use and suicide and cover identified evidence-based substance use prevention programs that address risk of suicide, and potential opportunities for collaborations that exist. Mr. Esrick discusses the research on substance use and the increased risk of suicide and summarizes the prevalence and trend data that capture the changes over time. Ms. Patton presents the evidence-based programs for addressing shared substance use and suicide risk. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.   Select the View Resource button above to watch the recording and the PowerPoint below. PPT Closed Captioned Transcript   PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (TTA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of TTA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to TTA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.    Emily Patton, MSc., Pg.Dip., is a Senior Research Associate with Carnevale Associates, LLC. She offers over ten years of expertise in data analysis, project management, and program evaluation. Under the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), she provides data analysis, programmatic support, and training and technical assistance (TTA) for multiple contracts that serve youth and families in the district with a particular focus on substance abuse and mental health. Ms. Patton also serves as a research associate with SAMHSA’s Central East Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC), wherein she provides expertise in substance use prevention, mental health, and program management. While serving on this project, she has researched and written numerous PTTC literature reviews on topics such as suicide prevention and opioid use, developed over a dozen different infographics, and co-authored several reports on substance use prevention topics. She has also co-presented on at least 45 webinars on topics ranging from substance use trends to knowledge translation. Emily holds a Master of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh.     

  Many people involved with the criminal justice system need social and behavioral services. These service needs often entail substance use disorder and overdose prevention and treatment. This product details why expanded services are necessary, the opportunities for prevention professionals to work with the criminal justice system, and how to begin planning for services. It also provides examples of evidence-based services.

  The Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC are dedicated to integrating cultural responsiveness into all our training and technical assistance offerings. We aim to help develop workforce competencies to provide equitable and inclusive care to all. Download this guide to learn more about our growing inventory of evidence-based trainings designed to improve the delivery of culturally-responsive prevention, treatment, and recovery approaches!   If you have questions about the culturally-responsive trainings we currently offer or suggestions for additional culturally-responsive trainings that would support the behavioral health workforces in our region, please contact:  Alfredo Cerrato, Senior Cultural & Workforce Development Officer ([email protected])  

Prevention is a public health strategy has been implemented for centuries. Whether to reduce the spread of disease or to mitigate the use of substances, educating the public on the dangers and potential negative outcomes of risky behaviors has become a mainstay of preventative actions. Educating the general public about health prevention is complex. Within society are cultures and subcultures with their own values, systems of belief, education levels, cultural traditions, and socioeconomic statuses. Additionally, demographics concerning age, racial identity, access to healthy food and healthcare, quality of available education, safe neighborhoods, and affordable housing also factor into prevention-oriented messaging. In short, blanketed, one-size-fits-all prevention strategies often fall short of expected outcomes. 

The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA.  Laura Sacks Morris received he B.A. in Communications with high honors from the University of Maine at Orono. In 2000, she founded the Second Chance Foundation with the mission of helping youth make healthy decisions through ongoing preventive, interactive theatrical school programs on bullying, addictions, suicide, tobacco prevention and other topics.  For over 10 years, she worked as a facilitator and theatrical director with the Council for Drug Free Youth as well as one year as the Project Coordinator for the Drug Free Community grant in mid-Missouri. After re-locating back to Maine 7 years ago, she continues her work in prevention as the Project Director for Be the Influence, a Drug Free Community grant, including building a coalition of community members who have collectively worked to reduce youth substance use in the Windham/Raymond area. She is certified as a national leadership/prevention trainer including TIPS, DEEP and a range of other subjects as well as a motivational speaker and CADCA prevention graduate. Email: [email protected] Web:  www.betheinfluencewrw.org SAMHSA offers free, downloadable publications and tip sheets, as well as mobile apps for youth, teens, and young adults on topics such as substance misuse, common mental health conditions, and coping with disasters and other traumatic events.  https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week/voices-of-youth/substance-use-prevention-resources-youth-college-students  Art is not only a protective factor, but it’s a great community builder and gateway to collaboration. Interested in learning more about the use of art in prevention? You can follow “be the influence” on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube or visit their website at betheinfluencewrw.org. Learn more today!